Liquid gauge



F. E. WOCEL LIQUID GAUGE Aug. 7, 1934.

Filed Aug. 15, 1930 ,W 7 T W i M jagw Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITE-D STATES PATENT- OFFICE LIQID GAUGE vFrank E. Woeel, New York, N. Y. Application August A15, 1930, Serial No. lIV'IVSAZS) 7 claims. (o1. 73-82) This invention relates to improvements in liquid gauges and particularly to gauges for fuel tanks of airplanesand other fast-moving vehicles..

vMy present invention constitutes an improvement upon the device shown and described'in my co-pending application, vSerial No. 363,726, filed May 17, v1929, in which the Ygaugetub'e is composed of a highly transparent.- phenolic con- 10- densation product preferably produced by molding a block or body of' phenolic condensation product, preferably of stream-line conformation, removing the outer mold scale, boring the body to form a tubular housing and highly.polishing l` the outer surface and the bore to produce a gauge tube or housing having a high degree of transparency.

One of the objects of mypresent invention is to improve the device of my said (so-pending 'application by producing a liquid gauge construction of the type specified therein'in Which the gauge tube and indicating mechanism, including the oat and guide mechanism therefor, will be capable of assembly into a single unit or devicewhich may be shipped fromthe factory as a complete entityhavingthe parts' arranged in J properly adjusted relationshipv so as to be capable of immediate and quick mounting in,l the fuel tank ofan airplane or other fast moving Vehicle without further assembly or adjustment.

Another object of my invention is to utilize the edge of the transparent gauge tube or housing on which to mount a float, guide rods therefor `and an indicating element extending withinl'the housing, and also Ato reinforceA such edge to enable a secure mounting of said parts thereon.

Still another object of my invention is to utilize, in connection with my transparent gauge housing a screw-connecting element and a lock- 40 nut so arranged or combinedwith .the gauge tube that said gauge tubeY or housing may besecurely connected and locked in properly adjusted position to the metallic fuel tank without applying pressure, stress or forcedon the gauge tube during the connection or locking of the device on the fuel tank.

With these and other objects inview, the invention comprises the combination of members and Aarrangement of parts so combined as to coact and cooperate withA each other `in the performance of the functions and the accomplishment ofV thevresults herein contemplated, `and comprises in one'of itsadaptationsithe species or preferred form illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, injwhichr-v i Fig. 1 is a vertical section, showing my improved'gauge mounted beneath a fuel tank;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section of the boss-portion of the gauge tube or housing, showing in separated relationship the connection elements for mounting the unitary device on a fuel tank and for fastening the parts to each other; and

Fig. 4- is a section on theline 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to this drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 indicates 'a fuel tank, having the usual nipple 2 provided with an internally screw-threaded opening 2.

In accordance with my invention, agauge tube or housing 3 preferably composed of a transparent phenolic condensation product and having a longitudinal bore 3 is provided at its upper end with a cylindrical stub or boss 3a of a diameter smaller than the tank-opening 2 and has mounted on its exterior surface a nipple or sleeve 4 having Vexterior screw threads 4' adapted to fit and mesh with the internal screw-threads of the tank-nipple 2. The nipple 4 is preferably securely fastened to the exterior surface of the cylindrical boss 3a by making the metallic nipple 'of similar or slightly smaller internal diameter, expanding the same, applying it to the stub and allowing it to contract thereon, and I also preferably apply any suitable cement between all the contacting surfaces; including the contacting surfaces at 3b.

When mounted as above indicated and suitably fastened to the stub 3EIL the metallic nipple .4 forms a connecting element by which the gauge tube or housing 3 may be mounted in the fuel tank without-danger of breaking off the boss When excessive pressure is applied by a wrench in screwing the device home in the tank-nipple 2.

In the preferred form of my invention, I also provide on the threaded nipple a lock nut 5 so as to permit the device to be securely locked'to the tank-nipple and this locking may also bev accomplished without danger of breaking the gauge or housing` 3v or its boss 3a. The upper edge 5a of the gauge or housing 3 is used for the mounting of guide rods 6', 6. on which guide rods is slidablymounted'a iioat 7 which, as shown, is provided with side notches 8, 8 within which the guide rods fit'so as to provide abearing and Ythesev guide rods 6, 6 are fastened together at their upper ends by a cross-strut 6C which, as illustrated, is integral with the guide rod 6 and is fastened vor soldered at 6b to the guide rod 6.

It will be apparent that'this strut cc will conneet and retain the guide-rods in position at the upper ends thereof so 'as to keep the same in parallei relationship at said upper end. The lower ends of the guide rods 6, 6 are fastened in similar relationship to the top edge of the boss 3 which f is preferably reinforced by a metallic washer 9 connected to said edge preferably by soldering the same to the nipple vi and also bycombining the washer with an externally screw-threaded sleeve or nipple 9 formed integrally therewith and engaging with internal screw threads on a socket formed concentrically with the bore 3. In the preferred form of my invention, the rods 6, 6"

are screw-threaded at their lower ends as atl, engage with screw-threaded bores 9a in the washer 9 and extend into notches 3d in the boss 3a of the gauge, thus locking the screw-threaded nipple 9 and washer 9 to the boss 3.

The guide rods 6, 6 thus provide a slide-way for the oat '7 and also cause alocking of the.`

washer and`nipple withinthe screw-threaded socket 3c.

Mounted axially within the oat 7 is an indicator rod 1Q.Y As illustrated, the upper end 'of said indicating rod extends axially through the float 'i' and may be fastened to the float in any suitable manner.

- its oppositey end an indicating element or block 11v which is preferably of, a solid contrasting color, such asred or black, so as to enable ready sighting thereof, through the gauge housing.

The method of producing my transparent gauge housing of a phenolic condensation product is fully explained in my co-pending appli#v cation andiorms no partof this invention,'ex cept that, by the use of a gauge housing, I am enabled to utilize a stub or bess as a mounting element forrthe gauge iloat and indicating means so that the float and indicating element may be assemf bled with the gauge housing and properlyadjusted at the factory, thus providing a complete unitary structure which may be applied to the fuel tank of, an airplane or other fast-moving vehicle by an exceedingly simple operation andr by persons lacking in mechanical skill.

It will also be understood that the unitary structures so assembled at the factory may be v shipped in completely assembled condition so as to avoid the necessity of all further Yassembly by the user.

vThe metallic nipple fi reinforces the boss and permits locking by the lock-nut 5 and enables the screw-connection of the'v device to be made with the tank without danger of injuring or splitting the stub or boss 3L during the operation of applying the gauge toaiuel tank of an airplane. In mounting my gauge'within the fuel tank, the

guide rods and iiOat, completely assembled, asV

aforesaid, are passed through the screwthreaded aperture or hole 2 and the reinforced and screwvthreaded stub or boss isscrewed home into said screw-threaded hole 2 until it is .substantially tightand the stream-line gaugeglass is in proper position relatively to the longitudinalaxis of the ship, whereupon the lockenut 5 is turned by a wrench for thepurpose of producinga thorough locking of the gauge in proper position.

The operation .of `the gauge will be obvious iromthe-above description and from. an exami-r nation of the drawing and need l'not be here described. Y j n Having described my invention, I claim:-v 1. A liquid gauge embodying a transparent gauge tube having integrally formed therewith Saidindioatorirod 10 has at said upper edge.

, vided withan axial bore and having at its upper end a boss adapted to enter and be secured in an opening formed in a tank, said boss being formed integrally with said transparent tube and having Vsecurely fastened thereon a metallic reinforcing nipple provided with external screwthreads for connection to said tank, and an indicating element depending from said float into said tube.

3. A liquid gauge. embodying a transpgairent rgauge tube formed of non-vitreous material provided with an' axialbore and having at vits upper end a boss adapted to enter and be secured in an opening formed in a tank, said boss being formed integrally with said transparent tube andhaving securely 'fastened thereon a metallic connecting element having external screw-threads for connection to saidtanky'and ralso provided at Y*its an indicating element depending from said float into said tube, whereby a unitary,V completely assembled structure for insertion into a fuel tank will'be provided.

4. 'A'liquid gauge embodying; agauge ltube formed orti-ansparent material, provided with an axial boreand having integrally-'formed at its upper enda b oss provided with a metallic connecting. element having external' screw-threads or connection to vatank, and also provided at its upper edge with meansfor mounting a iloat and an indicating element, said float-mounting means comprising guide-rods between which said float ismounted and having their endsmounted on upper edge with means for mounting a float and its said boss, and means for reinforcing the upper 'edge of said boss comprising a washer having boresjtherein through which said rods extend.

" 5. A liquid gauge embodying a gauge tube 'formed -oif transpa'rent material, provided with an axial rbore and having integrally formed at its upper end a boss 4providedwith a metallic connecting element having external screwthreads forconnection to a tank, and also pro# vided at, its upper edge with means for mounting a oat, and an indicatingV element, said oatmounting meanscomprising guide-rods between 'which' said oat is mounted and vhaving their ends mounted .on said boss, means for reinforcing .the upper edge of, said boss comprising a washer provided with bores therein` through 'fwhich saidf rods' extend, 4saddfwasher having screwethreaded meansfor fastening the'lsame to '6..AV liquid gauge 'embodyingga gauge tube an axial bore and having integrallyiormed at its upper end `a boss provided with ametallic connecting element having external screwthreads for connection' toa tank, a lock-nut mounted on said metallicconnectingelementand also provided atits upperedge withy means Vfor Vmounting afloat andan indicating element, said float- Ymounting means comprising lguide-rods between which said float is mounted and having their ies formedof transparent'material, provided with ends mounted on said boss, means for 'reinforcing the upper edge of "said boss comprising a washer having flange bores through which said rods extend, said washer having screw-threaded means for fastening the same to said upper end, and said rods being arranged to extend through said washer bores and into engagement with the boss to lock the screw-engaged washer to said boss.

7. A liquid gauge embodying a housing formed of transparent non-vitreous material provided lwith an axial bore and having at its upper end a boss provided with a metallic connecting ele- 

